Tests and diagnosis discussion for Osteoarthritis:

No single test can diagnose osteoarthritis. Most doctors
use a combination of the following methods to diagnose the disease and
rule out other conditions:

Clinical History: The doctor begins by asking the
patient to describe the symptoms, and when and how the condition
started. Good doctor-patient communication is important. The doctor can
give a better assessment if the patient gives a good description of
pain, stiffness, and joint function, and how they changed over time. It
is also important for the doctor to know how the condition is affecting
the patient's work and daily life. Finally, the doctor also needs to
know about other medical conditions and whether the patient is taking
any medicines.

Physical Examination: The doctor will check the
patient's general health. Joints bothering the patient will be examined,
including checking reflexes and muscle strength. The doctor will also
observe the patient's ability to walk, bend, and carry out activities of
daily living.

X Rays: Doctors take x rays to see how much joint
damage has been done. X rays of the affected joint can show such things
as cartilage loss, bone damage, and bone spurs. But there is often a big
difference between the severity of osteoarthritis that the x ray shows
and the degree of pain and disability the patient has. And x rays may
not show early osteoarthritis damage (before much cartilage loss
has taken place).

Other Tests: The doctor may order blood tests to
determine the cause of symptoms. Another common test includes "joint
aspiration," where fluid is drawn from the joint for examination.

It is usually not difficult to tell if a patient has
osteoarthritis. It is more difficult to tell if the disease is causing
the patient's symptoms. Osteoarthritis is so common, especially in older
people, that other conditions may play a role in the symptoms. The
doctor will try to find out what is causing the symptoms, ruling out
other disorders and identifying conditions that may make the symptoms
worse. The severity of symptoms in osteoarthritis is greatly influenced
by the patient's attitudes, anxiety, depression, or daily activity
level.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS)

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis of Osteoarthritis:

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